LapBandit

Hang in there! You'll make it.

That sounds like a great menu. It's well balanced and seems like a good bandster diet! You're gonna do great!

Hi Angie. This is just MY plan that I'm doing with my doctor but... *Protein, Protein, Protein then veggies then complex carbs with each meal. *I take a Centrum chewable Vitamin every day. *I eat 6 balanced meals a day with no snacking in between. (But eating six times a day doesn't give much time to snack any how!) *My doctor makes me promise not to count calories. He truly believes that if the food is healthy then it's up to you and your band to know when to stop and there's no need to count calories. *I also have to drink at least 64 oz. of Water every day. Only water...or other zero calorie beverages. (Except for Protein shakes which I use as one of my meals.) *Get excersize, but it sounds like you have this covered. I try for at least 30 mins a day. I just talked to my doc the other day about plateaus and he said that to break out of a plateau you need to "switch things up". Change to a different excersize or intensity level and many times that can spark your weight loss. But he said NOT to "diet" as a way to break a plateau. I hope this info helps. I wish you lots of success and I know you'll get past this hump!

I can relate. I started working with my bariatric doctor in February of this year and weighed in at 392! I'm still wearing my same clothes too. But, for now I'm staying focused on my progress and will save my money for clothes that don't come from the "plus" department!! You're doing awesome and you're not the only one who has a hard time seeing the difference but trust me...you're body is much happier and that's the biggest reward. Good job!

I like that idea...I would throw in to take a "before" shot. Even though I would have HATED a full on photo of myself before surgery I really regret not having it now.

I was scared before and shortly after surgery as well. Once you have some time to adjust to all of the changes you'll probably feel differently. It took me a few weeks and now I'm totally at peace with my decision and feel good about it. Happy Healing!

Thanks Waterlilly! I think we're all doing great! I agree with you...this year is my year too! We deserve to take a year to take care of ourselves.

I try not to eat past 8 PM just because of metabolism issues. Your metabolism can slow down in the evening. That's my mantra to help avoid evening snacking! Also, I've read that bandsters shouldn't eat then lie down soon afterward as it can cause discomfort. I've never tried it so I don't know if it's true.

Yes, it's a magical ride...one day you feel tight and the next day you're loose as a goose! It's normal I would say. Especially since you're still healing...I agree with above, that swelling right after surgery can be finicky.

What's wrong with you is that you're human!!! Please don't beat yourself up. We all make mistakes but you are admitting it and now you can move on. When I feel hungry for something I shouldn't have like chocolate, I go ahead and buy a single piece from the "penny candy" shelves. I don't buy a whole container because then I'll justify it by saying "I can't waste money so I'd better finish this container." I also try to ask myself "why do you want to eat this?" "are you going to feel happy about yourself if you make this choice?" "what "happiness" will I gain by eating this?" When I force myself to think this way I make better choices. If I want something bad and can't think of good answers to these questions then I tell myself...if you're actually hungry then you'd eat a piece of fruit instead. Usually I discover that I'm not hungry enough to eat something healthy! I hope that helps. Good luck!

http://register.eas.com/OA_HTML/ibeCCtpItmDspRte.jsp?item=3318&section=10779 I like the EAS Advantage shakes. They taste good and they're premade/portable! They're a little expensive but I will pay it for not having to mix my own shakes!

4-3: JenRN - 263/257/248/150 - 15 total 4-3: jenn28 - 282/265/229/165 - 53 total 4-3: Picardy3 - 298/300/271/150 - 29 total 4-3: tipper - 300/290/278/165 - 22 total 4-4: Sugar1 - 311/289/239/150 - 72 total 4-4: Dak – 255/251/225/150 – 50 total 4-5: Boo - 208/203/188/130 - 20 total 4-6: Disneynut - 290/287/260/125 - 27 total 4-7: Guysis - 234/205/134 -29 total 4-10: JulieNYC - 358/303/150 - 55 total 4-11: Vickie1177 - 320/297/267/137 - 53 total 4-11: tellymelly - 240/235/184/135 -55 total 4-11: Fel0816 - 307/284/265/to get under 200 - 42 total 4-11: dsrjrr - 231/230/210/130 - 21 total 4-13: Nursekathy2u - 358/356/335/175 - 23 total 4-13: NJgirl - 248/230/212/140 - 36 total 4-13: Miper70 - 217/201/145 - 16 total 4-17: Amourette - 22.5 total 4-17: Jeepergurrl - 242/222/140 - 20 total 4-17: MelAnne - 245/207/150 - 38 total 4-18: Danaclark2 - 270/260.5/245/150 - 25 total 4-18: LapBandit - 392/369/347/336/324/308 -84 total 4-20: Omamoon - 220/211.5/202/130 - 18 total 4-20: KimInMD - 288/288/253/156 - 35 total 4-21: Yoda - 273/257/235/150 - 38 total 4-21: kristielynn - 310/302/270/150 - 40 total 4-22: alisonb - 286/270/176 - 16 total 4-24: Eficka - 125/117/108.7/69kg - total 13.3kgs/36 pounds 4-24: Ceparano -255/270.5/240/170 - 30 total 4-24: Kat - 289/281/258.5/165 -30.5 lbs total 4-24: hlj25950 - 262/257/241/160 - 21 total 4-25: momof2boys - 270/266/244/145 - 26 total 4-26: Bostongurl - 264/244/212/145 - 52 total 4-27: tinaj - 226/221/210/150 - 15 total 4-27: lookingout - 185/178/165/101 - 20 total 4-27: flowergoddesstn - 214/204/190/130 - 24 total 4-27: Dimples0323 - 284/284/241/145 - 43 Total 4-28: Susan4794 - 283/267/264.2/145 - 18.8 total 4-28: bluehill - 333/290/145 - 43 total 4-28: Irish Girl - 224/214/182/135 - 42 total <!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

I had a good check up today with my bariatric doctor. I have 8 lbs to go til twoterville! And, I found out today...16 lbs to go til I've lost 100!!

I was one of the lucky ones. It took a week before I felt hungry at all. My doc had to get on me to eat! But, I agree...it doesn't last forever and then it was a struggle until my first fill. Ahhh...to be post-op again...that was better than restriction!!

Waterlilly, you should be very proud of yourself. And although running around for 12 hours a day may be getting you down try to think of the positives...12 hours a day got to burn some serious calories. Hee hee. Just trying to find the silver lining! Hang in there, you've got a lot going but you're still doing great and you'll make it til your next fill. I have faith in you! We're doing great everyone! We'll get there!

I'm back! I did OK. I think I have 9 lbs to go. I won't make it for my appointment this friday but I think I can do it by the end of the month. How's everyone doing??

Yikes everyone! I made my first HUGE mistake at dinner. My sister and I went out to a local restaurant...fried chicken strips and beer battered onion rings. I know, I know...it was a tough day, TOM and my eating schedule was all messed up today because of a busy day at work. Darn it...now I feel so guilty. UGH. I guess that's why we have to plan ahead and keep on a schedule so that we don't make dumb mistakes. I hope everyone else had a better day!! I've got to go out of town for work for a couple days so hang in there everyone! Wish me luck...I'll be at a hotel with 5 restaurants. YIKES!!

10 to go here. We're getting closer!

Thanks for the quick reply! I was filled with 4cc's in my VG band at the time of surgery then my first post-op fill was 2cc's. You may be on to something with the TOM thought! It hasn't been a full month since that fill so we'll see what happens. I have another appointment on Friday and my doc said we'll discuss wether or not to have another fill then. It just seems strange how restriction seems to come and go! I'm still happy that I finally know what it feels like...now I just gotta find out how to keep it!! What a journey so far!

I just had my first "official" fill since surgery about 3 1/2 weeks ago. The first week or so I thought "wow, I actually know what restriction feels like now" and I LOVED it! But, now I kinda feel like I did before the fill--is this common? It's almost like I never had a fill. Everyone talks about the "Sweet Spot" but how do you maintain that if you can lose restriction? I know fills are part of being banded but it seems weird that my fill has seemed to vanish into thin air. Do you have similar experiences? Thanks for any input.

The same thing happened to me. The cat is out of the bag and there's nothing I can do about it. That's my philosophy now. I figure I have enough just to stay concentrated on myself that I can't be worried about who knows and much less be concerned about their opinion. I feel for ya...good luck.

Welcome! 24 lbs in 6 weeks is awesome. I believe the average is 1-3 lbs per week and you are averaging 4. You should be able to find lots of posts with more info and tips for you. There are a lot of great people on this site! Good luck!

You're not a baby...I agree that the shoulder pain was way worse than any other part of the surgery!!! I took gas-x and used a hot water bottle. Similar to the rice bag idea...I felt the pressure of the weight of the hot water bottle helped as much as the temp. (It was hard to keep on my shoulder...I strapped it on with an old scarf!!) Luckily the shoulder pain went away within the first week but it was rough. Good luck and I hope you feel better soon!

I'm in the club as well! I'm 32. I agree that I don't want to lose weight to meet a guy who wouldn't give me the time of day right now. So, I hope that by me feeling better about myself that I'll be able to find someone nice one day. I can't wait to have a family, that's my goal. But, for this next year at least I am going to focus on me. Good luck everyone!

waterlilly...I thought "restriction" was this magical thing that I was destined to never feel!!! But, after my first fill I felt it but now I'm losing it again. I think I need another little fill. Geez guys...having company and the holiday was ROUGH!!! I didn't do bad but I didn't do great either. Hopefully, I can get back on track. I know I won't be moving into Twoterville by the 14th (my next appointment) which is a bummer. But...I've got 13 lbs to go so I think I can do it this month. Keep up the good work!